The beach of Porto Germeno is 60 km from Athens, following the highway Athens-Corinth.

It is a beautiful bay strewn with pebbles and sand. Covered by two impressive mountains, Porto Germeno beach has a stunning view that coupled with a lovely swim in the calm, azure waters, will leave you spellbound.

Near the beach of Porto Germeno you will also find the ruins of a 4th century BC castle.

Athens, like any other capital, has an excellent network of public transportation to take you wherever you want.

Information about buses' routes and timetables, can be found in www.oasa.gr and the number 210 8200999 or the special number 11185.

Information about railway's routes and timetables, can be found in www.stasy.gr and the number 214 41464000.

Moreover, Athens has a large number of yellow taxis that will take you anywhere you wish.

Of course you can rent a car or motorbike from the several rental agencies. Just be prepared to encounter enough traffic, especially in the city.

The Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" is located 34 km from the center of Athens and is the only civilian airport. This modern airport was inaugurated in 2001 (replacing the old airport of Elliniko) and offers flights to numerous countries worldwide. Approximately 13 million passengers are transfered annually by the Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos".

Apart from the excellent services that the airport provides, it also features remarkable shopping and dining outlets. Also in the area of ​​the airport, you will find a permanent exhibition of archaeological findings discovered during its construction, and an exhibition dedicated to the great Greek politician Eleftherios Venizelos, from whom the airport took its name.

From the Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" you can reach Athens by car via Attiki Odos or using public transport (metro, light rail and buses). At the airport there is a taxi stand and of course the possibility of renting a car.

More information concerning the Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" can be found in www.aia.gr and the number 210 -3530000.

Athens can be reached by flights from all Greek airports and most airports abroad, to the Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos".

Otherwise, you can get to Athens via sea, with ships from most Greek ports to the ports of Piraeus and Rafina, but also with cruise ships from abroad.

One option is to get to Athens by train to Station Larisis or Station Peloponnese, using the railway network OSE that is quite good.

In the western part of Attica, there are the western suburbs with their own distinctive identity. Egaleo, Peristeri, Petroupoli, Haidari, Ilion, Agioi Anargyroi, and just outside the city Aspropyrgos, Elefsina, Megara etc.

Being in their majority common quarters, they retain several elements of the old traditional neighborhood. Each region has its own market, its squares and of course many cafes, where mostly locals hang out. The same logic runs across the restaurants and taverns in the Western suburbs, which are always ready to pamper any guests that will discover them.

In the field of nightlife too, the Western suburbs have their own distinctive character and unique style. Bars and clubs promise endless entertainment until the next morning.

Do not forget that here in the western suburbs you have the chance to visit two exquisite parks: Park Antoni Tritsi, spreading in an area of 1,200 acres in Ilion (www.parkotritsi.gr) and Alsos (Grove) Baroutadiko in Aigaleo. What's more, in the Western suburbs there is the Daphni Monastery that is of exceptional archaeological importance, and if you get to Eleusina you can see the ruins of the ancient Temple of Demetera, where the famous Eleusinian Mysteries took place in antiquity.

Even though they are not among the typically advertised glamorous places, the Western suburbs are quite special and are worth a visit, especially if you want to have a complete image of what is Athens today.

If you are vacationing in Athens, there are excellent spots to discover in the eastern part of Attica, on the other side of mount Hymettus and Penteli.

On the east coast of Attica there is a series of settlements-cities that used to be summer resorts, yet now they constitute the main residence of the majority of their population. Lavrio, Porto Rafti, Loutsa, Rafina, Nea Makri, Mati are areas with excellent beaches and many options for accommodation, food, coffee, drink and entertainment.

In this side of Athens but off the coast, is also the area of Spata, with the International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos and the area of Paiania, with the famous Cave Koutouki.

A significant area of ​​eastern Attica is the Marathon, one of the most historic parts of the entire Attica. It is here that the famous Battle of Marathon took place between Greeks and Persians, it is here that the Tomb of Marathon lies in honor of the fallen and of course it is here that the Athens Classic Marathon starts. Locations in East Attica with intense archaeological interest include Horopos with the Amphiaraeion and Brauron with the ruins of the Temple of Artemis.

Eastern Athens is an ideal destination for a day trip from central Athens, both for the permanent residents and for those who have chosen to spend their holidays in Athens.

Small and larger neighborhoods, each with its own beauty, circle Athens and wait for you to discover them. Pagrati Kessariani, Ilisia, Zografou and Nea Smyrni with one of the largest squares in Athens...

All these are residential areas, each with its own character and its own special market.

In each of these neighborhoods you will discover beautiful corners, excellent restaurants and small taverns to enjoy wonderful, well cooked food. Throughout the day several cafes offer delicious coffee and soft drinks, while in the evening bars of unique character help you experience a different side of Athens by night.

When you walk around Athens on foot, a walk around Plaka and Monastiraki is a must.

Plaka is the most picturesque neighborhood of Athens, being built under (and in some places even upon) the sacred rock of Acropolis. This is precisely why all its buildings are low and many of them have an architectural beauty similar to the monument located above them. In Plaka you have the chance to admire ancient monuments such as the Roman Agora, the Winds(Aerides) and the Monument of Lysicrates, but also museums such as the Museum of Greek Folk Art, the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments of Phoebus Anoyanakis, the Frissiras Museum and the Hellenic Children's Museum. Every corner of Plaka hides a landmark, a detail worth admired. Apart from sightseeing, in Plaka you can also do the necessary shopping before you leave Athens. It features excellent shops for art, jewelry, leather goods and general memorabilia.

Next to Plaka is the neighborhood of Monastiraki, the name of which has become synonymous to the word 'bargain'. Here you can find literally everything (no joking). Antiques, books, everyday items, collectibles, anything you can think about is sold (and bought) here. In Monastiraki square you can still see the ruins of the Hadrian's Library, the Mosque of Tzistarakis but also a piece of the ancient bed of Eridanus river, which once ran through Athens. Shopping-addicts beware, for it is Ermou street that passes through Monastiraki square. This is the leading commercial street of Athens, ending at Syntagma Square.

If after so much walking you get hungry, both Plaka and Monastiraki have restaurants and taverns with food and snacks that will make you feel sated.